zt 0350 or benchmade rift?

K

KB3UBW

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Sep 11, 2011
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Right now what im looking for is a decently tough and durable knife, so after alot of looking around i have norrowed it down to these two. what they are going to be used for is daily edc when not around sheeple and when im camping, so what are your guys thoughts on these two?
 
I handled a Contego next to a rift and I liked the Contego much better. Bigger handle and blade and better steel. I've never been a huge fan of the zt0350.
 
I bought a 950-1 Rift because it was a sale at a local enabler... in other words, it was a deal. The 9500 was at the same price, so it came home, too. Assisted or auto, the Rift just doesn't do it for me. I'd suggest the ZT-0551 if you can find one and don't need the flipper. The 0561 will flip - but it's ~30+% more. The ZT-0350 will be about the same size as the other two - a size smaller than my o301 below. It's assisted, if that's a deal-maker.

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If the assisted feature is important, and the slightly smaller than a 0301 size is okay, I'd get the 0350. I am just not fond of the Rift - I find the similar sized 15020 Bone Collector a far better knife - D2 and all.

Stainz

PS The Contego is only available currently with a serrated blade.
 
Out of the two choices if you dont mind recurves for what you are describing I would go with the 350. To me it has better ergos than the Rift. Another suggestion from the ZT line would be the 200. Its a beast of a knife and I regret having to get rid of mine.

Some older pics I had.
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P1010415.jpg
 
The ZT will have better ergos for sure and if the example of a Rift I had was any indication the edge on the ZT will be better and hold an edge longer. The lock on the Rift is nice but for me, doesn't do the job so much better that it is a selling point.
 
I've had both and carried both for EDC. Don't have either one of them anymore, but here are my thoughts on them. Both knives were tough and durable enough to do anything I would ask of a folder. That includes going from house and garden chores to working in a warehouse cutting strapping material and some cardboard to dayhikes and camping.

For me, and YMMV as always, the Rift was more comfortable to carry and use because of the rounded scales and lighter weight. The AXIS lock on the Rift worked flawlessly, as all of my AXIS locks have. The Rift was probably the sharpest BM I've gotten new except my Ritter Grips, and it got sharper when introduced to my Sharpmaker and strop. I enjoyed carrying and holding the Rift more than the 350. The Rift came new with a centered blade and no h/v BP. The rest of the F&F was excellent as well.

The 350 I had was a KW exclusive S30V satin finish. I noticed right away that it was heavier than I usually carry and the flat sided scales made it one of the less comfortable knives that I've carried and used. That is a personal preference, however, and that was my only objection to the 350. I don't normally like recurves but I didn't really notice it on the 350, sort of like the gentle recurve on the old 14210's. My 350 came centered, the blade fired fast & hard, the lockup was just the way I like liner locks; all of the liner was engaged on the blade tang, and the edge was as sharp O-O-B as the Rift was. No F&F issues at all with the 350.

The 350 felt a little more solid to me, but that's probably just based on visual perception and the heavy, blocky feel when holding it. AXIS lock vs. liner lock? For a knife like this with heavy or outdoor use, I'd prefer a dependable and well-made liner lock. I just don't trust spring-activated locks when simpler systems are available and are just as dependable. I've never had an issue with either type of lock, so I'll most often go for the simplest solutuion in a situation like that.

Both knives responded well to my Sharpmaker and strop block and neither blade suffered any damage from my use, so I have no preference there. In the end, it may come down to the dart board for you to pick the one you want. I believe the Rift is disco'd, so if being able to replace a lost or damaged knife with the same thing is important to you, you may want to stick to the 350.

Good luck.
 
If you talking about tough and durable, You cant go wrong with ZT. Not to mention 350 probably has better look IMO.
 
I'm gonna buck the trend here and say go for the rift. I just got mine in and am loving it. It's definitely one of the nicest stock benchmade knives I've seen yet. The scalloped G10 is a bit hard on my pocket, but then, I didn't like the 350, and ended up selling it off. From my first inspection of the Rift, I have to say that I'm not likely to sell it off. It's also the sharpest knife I've ever had OOB. Usually I have to touch them up on the sharpmaker and paper wheel before they have an edge I like. I'm not entirely certain I can get this one BACK to being this sharp. I feel like the ergos are much better on the 950 than on the 350, personally, and I like the AXIS lock.

That being said, they're both excellent knives. Get the one that appeals to you the most. If you have a chance to visit a store to handle them, take it. If you don't love everything about it, you may end up regretting the purchase.
 
I had the ZT0350 and sold it. The ergonomics were not the best and the handle was too short for my large hands. It was a solid knife though. If it fits your hand, then by all means buy it.

I also own the 950 Rift and its one of my favorite knives. The ergonomics are excellent and it the blade/handle ratio is almost 1:1. The edges on the scales were abit sharp, but 2 mins with a file fixed that. Its a great knife and i highly recommend it.
 
Between the 2 i recommend the Rift.

I had the ZT0350 and sold it. The ergonomics were not the best and the handle was too short for my large hands. It was a solid knife though. If it fits your hand, then by all means buy it.

I currently own the 950 Rift and its one of my favorite knives. I often find myself reaching automatically for the Rift. The ergonomics are excellent and it the blade/handle ratio is almost 1:1. The edges on the scales were abit sharp, but 2 mins with a file fixed that. Its a great knife and i highly recommend it.
 
I like the BM-950 as well. It feels much better in my hand. I suggest handling both before making a choice if you can.
 
350 for sure... I have handled the Rift many times and each time I notice the sharp non-beveled edges of the g10. Definitely not a knife I want to be using over long periods of time.

The 350 is a bit wider than the Rift but the ergos feel much better in my hand. (Men's XL/2XL glove size) The ZT0350 is a flipper with speedsafe so it is a hair away from being an auto. Plus, you have much better cutting edge geometry with the 350.

I would go with the 350 if I was limited to just these two options.

Other knives to think about:
Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Spyderco Manix 2 (reg. or XL)
Spyderco Gayle Bradley
Benchmade 710
Benchmade 707
Benchmade 940
Kershaw Blur S30V
 
They're both nice, but IMO the 0350 is better. It costs less, has a better blade steel, and better ergonomics (for me at least).
 
I always thought the Rift handle was backwards. The little groove should have been the main groove where your index finger rests, not the other way around where your pinky rests. It just looks backwards to me. It just totally threw me off. I handled both in the past, but only owned the 0350. You can't go wrong with either one, but ergonomics wise, the 0350 felt better in my hands. YMMV.
 
The ZT of course. Much better than Benchmade. I had Benchmades but they are nothing compared to ZT's.

Or get a Strider.
 
I'd say go with the ZT. The 350 is a very natural feeling folder with excellent ergonomics not to mention it has very positive feeling G-10 that isn't to grippy or to slick. Also the S30V is a grand blade steel that Kershaw/ZT does a particularly good job on IMO.
 
Rift hands down. The 350 gets its styling from a brick. There are some really nice ZT knives but the 350 is at the bottom end and has a liner lock.

I have quite a few different Rift knives and have never felt what I consider a sharp edge on the G10. This is all my opinion of coarse.
 
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